Trout

Perhaps the best known trout in Kootenay Lake is the rainbow. Indeed, the Lake contains a few genetically distinct populations of rainbow trout, the largest (and thus most famous) of which is the gerrard, named after a spawning creek at the north end of the Lake. Contributing to the size of the gerrard is the good nutrition it gains by eating kokanee.

The rainbow trout is a member of genus Oncorhynchus. Unfortunately, the name, trout, is also applied to members the genus Salvelinus: the Char. The bull trout is a char. Although both the rainbow trout and the bull trout are given the name, trout, they look and behave differently: the rainbow has dark spots and spawns in the spring; the bull has light spots and spawns in the fall. These are quite different fish.

Adding to the confusion is the dolly varden, a name locals often apply to the bull trout. However, the bull trout and the dolly varden are different species (albeit both being char) and the dolly varden is not found in Kootenay Lake or surrounding streams.

A confusing aspect of these fish is their variable colour. Some of this is a reaction to surroundings—a camouflage—and so can change as the fish moves to different habitats. Some of these colour variations are evident in the pictures, below.

This rainbow trout was hooked. It is nearing the lake surface and its reflection is apparent on the underside of the surface. A short time later,the fish was released.

This rainbow trout was swimming in the shallows along the lakeshore—notice the dark spots. This fish grows large by eating kokanee fry.

The rainbow trout is reputed to have gained its name from a pinkish band, seen here in the lower left. Yet, the colouration of this fish can vary widely.

A female gerrard rainbow trout begins preparing the gravel for spawning.

A male (closest) and female gerrard rainbow trout swim side by side in the Lardeau River.

A female (left) and male Gerrard Trout as seen from within the stream.

Prior to spawning, the male rainbow trout swims around the female and crosses over her tail. This is probably what is going on in the dance at the bottom. In the background are seen more trout.

The female gerrard rainbow trout is on the left; the male is on the right.

This bull trout is swimming in the Main Lake. Compare its spots with those of the rainbow trout below.

Left: a rainbow trout has dark spots.
Right: a bull trout has bright, redish spots.

Left: a rainbow trout has dark spots.
Right: a bull trout has bright, redish spots.

An osprey has caught a rainbow trout. Its head is consumed first.